Compare towns
Pepperell vs Devens vs Hardwick
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Pepperell has grown the fastest since 2010 (-4.6%).
Devens has the highest household income ($189k).
Hardwick has the most kids (20.5% under 18).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Pepperell | Devens | Hardwick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,971 |
1,723Lowest |
2,684Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-7.8% MA: +7.4% |
-10.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 46.4±6.3 16% above MA |
48.6±4.3Highest 22% above MA |
45.3±9.8Lowest 13% above MA |
| Devens and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±5.2 MA: 19.4% |
5.5%±3.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.5%±5.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Hardwick and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.7%±3.8 MA: 17.9% |
14%±5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
22.7%±5Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Hardwick and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
21.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
30.9% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.4Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.2%±4.2 MA: 7.9% |
6.2%±4.4Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Hardwick and Devens are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $76,726±$17k 26% below MA |
$189,250±$63kHighest 82% above MA |
$75,000±$22kLowest 28% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $457,300±$40k 19% below MA |
$556,800±$96kHighest about the MA average |
$346,700±$67kLowest 38% below MA |
| Devens and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,139±$301 35% below MA |
$1,500±$539Highest 15% below MA |
$1,108±$119Lowest 37% below MA |
| Devens and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,871Highest 15% above MA |
$5,556 7% below MA |
$4,400Lowest 27% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.6%±20.7Lowest MA: 51.8% |
85.4%±64.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
59%±13.8 MA: 51.8% |
| Devens and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.9%Lowest MA: 10% |
25.3%Highest MA: 10% |
11% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 49.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
79.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
68.2% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1970Highest 6 yrs newer than MA |
1950Lowest 14 yrs older than MA |
1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 18% above MA |
28 minLowest 4% below MA |
31 min 7% above MA |
| Work from home | 13.5%±4.9 MA: 18.6% |
28.5%±11.5Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.7%±4.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Devens and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #153 of 282 in MA | — | #163 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | — | Quabbin |
| High school in town | — | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet |
MA average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.